Although rare, ticks can consume enough of your dog's blood to cause a deficiency called anemia. Certain female ticks can also cause a rare paralysis in dogs as a result of a toxin they produce while feeding.
Can ticks cause anemia?
Chronic signs of disease include bleeding tendencies, anemia, severe weight loss and debilitation, ocular and neurologic signs. There is no vaccine currently available, so tick control measures are important for disease prevention.
What causes sudden anemia in dogs?
Dogs can develop aplastic or non-regenerative anemia as a result of insufficient production of red blood cells. Bone marrow disease, kidney disease, exposure to toxins, parvovirus, chemotherapy drugs and other certain medications can also cause this form of anemia.
Can ticks and fleas cause anemia in dogs?
Blood loss is the most common reason for anemia in dogs. If a dog has enough ticks, or in the case of small puppies, fleas, they can lose enough blood to become anemic. If the situation persists long enough, tissue damage and even death can occur, due to the chronic low oxygen state.
Can lymes disease cause anemia in dogs?
A very small number of infected dogs can develop kidney failure, which is usually fatal. Lyme disease can also affect the eyes, heart, and possibly the central nervous system (not well documented in dogs). How is Lyme Disease diagnosed? Blood counts may show anemia, low platelets, and low white blood cells.
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